FRA DALE TIL BJERGE – trekking. natur. kultur.

Your first impression of arriving at Tribhuwan International Airport is an experience in itself. But don’t be worried by the apparent confusion as your airport representative will be waiting to welcome you with your name written on a placard. Depending on traffic, you will be at your hotel within 20 minutes or so.

You have time to relax and enjoy the ambience and comfort of the hotel until your evening Group Meeting. This is when we collect your insurance details and discuss how the trip will run for the coming days. After the meeting, we go for our first group dinner. Your tour leader will take you to a nice restaurant in Thamel. This is not compulsory, but is highly recommended, giving you an opportunity to get to know your tour leader and your fellow group members.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Starting in Boudhanath, you will visit the largest Buddhist stupa in Asia which is the hub of Tibetan culture in Nepal. The 36 meter high stupa is one of the largest stupas in South Asia. It was built on the site where ancient Tibetan merchants used to rest and offer prayers over the centuries and formed a kingdom within a kingdom. Refugees from Tibet settled here and there has been the construction of over 50 gompas (Tibetan convent) around Boudhanath. Since 1979 a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with Swayambhunath, it is one of the ‘must see’ popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area.
Close by is Pashupatinath another major religious site. Pashupatinath Temple, considered one of the sacred temples of Hindu faith sits on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu. The seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath, the temple complex has been listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1979. It is a collection of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions scattered along the banks of the holy Bagmati. A major festival celebrated here is Maha Shivaratri when over 800,000 devotees visit here. Hindus believe in cremation within a day of death. You may see funeral pyres smoking as this believed to be one of the most auspicious places to be cremated.
Continuing on to the third World Heritage site of the day, you are taken to Patan Durbar Square. Patan is now part of Kathmandu but used to be another of the three independent kingdoms. Very different in character from the rest of the city, Patan’s Durbar Square is surrounded by the most superb of Newar architecture. It is a beautiful ensemble of temples and shrines beside the old royal palace that now serves as a little museum. In Patan, you can see a mixture of both Hinduism and Buddhism, with people worshipping in both at the same time. Renowned for the “Birth to Death” shops, these are where to shop for every little item that Nepalese rituals require from birth to death. There are many interesting festivals and traditions that are observed here.

Overnight in Kathmandu, breakfast included.

Starting the day with a visit to Bhaktapur, (another World Heritage site), you then are taken to the charming old town of Panauti where you will be made very welcome by your homestay host.
One of the most fascinating and important World Heritage Sites in Nepal, Bhaktapur is made up of three large squares filled with historic shrines and temples, Newar architecture and fine art. Famous for its clay pots and exquisite wood carvings, Bhakatpur is also legendary for its colorful festivals and its delicious and unique cuisine. Bhaktapur retains its medieval feel and the local people are still engaged in farming and traditional crafts like pottery, metalwork, art and woodwork which have supported the city since it was established in the 12th century. This is a ‘must see’ place to explore! You will be shown the magnificent Golden Gate in Durbar Square (square of the palaces), the Palace of 55 Windows, the Nyata Pola Temple, Newar houses and pottery square. Although the town was damaged in the 2015 earthquake, there has been a lot of work to repair the old buildings.
After having sightseeing of Bhaktapur city we will drive to Panauti. After being introduced to your Homestay host, you visit the old town center. Panauti is an old traditional Newari village where you can see a large number of Hindu and Buddhist religious monuments and temples. Originally a small state given by King Bhupatindra Malla as a dowry to his sister, it is still largely unchanged over the passage of time. You visit Indreswor temple and Durbar square in the town center. Situated at the confluence of the two rivers Rosi and Punyamati, it has been regarded as an important religious site since very early times. You have time to explore the narrow streets and medieval ghats with your homestay hosts.

You have plenty of time to explore the narrow streets and medieval ghats with your homestay hosts. Panauti is surrounded by scared rivers and is birthplace to a number of legendary figures and to a traditional Newari confection produced only during a harvest festival each year. Panauti is also famous for its 40 temples and 28 festivals. The temples are dedicated to various and are deities spread around the small one-kilometer town center. Rich in Newari culture, many of the town’s festivals are similar to those of Kathmandu while some are unique with a completely local character.

Overnight in Panauti, breakfast included.

After breakfast, returning via Kathmandu (35km) you continue your drive on one of the country’s oldest and busiest highways. The construction of the Prithvi Highway started in 1967 with the help of the Chinese government and completed in 1974 made it possible to travel to Pokhara by road. Until then it took at least two weeks on foot. The highway is named after King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Weather permitting, you may catch glimpses of the Himalayas along the way. Driving first along the Trishuli River – a main tourist attraction for white water rafting, you then follow the massive Marshyangdi River. During the drive (total 235 km, 7-8 hrs drive) you have the opportunity to stop for photos and lunch. Arriving in the afternoon, the rest of the day you have free in Pokhara.

Overnight in Pokhara, breakfast included.

After breakfast, you are driven to Nayapul (about 1.5 hours) to start your trek. Here you meet your team of porters who will be carrying your baggage during the trek. After completing the necessary formalities with the Annapurna Conservation Area Park entry permit, you start your trek to Ghandruk.

Trekking in Nepal is not about hard work and no fun. You can go at your own pace and enjoy yourself, taking time to enjoy the nature, the views and local culture. You will pass waterfalls, icy rivers and streams, and local people. Take breaks while you walk, say “Namaste” to the locals or other trekkers passing by; return “Hellos” to the children in the villages (please don’t give them anything if they ask for ‘pen’ or sweets, as this encourages begging). You will feel the warmth of Nepalese hospitality of the villagers from their smile as you walk through.
The time needed to reach Ghandruk is around 6 hours (including breaks). The trail descends steeply to Birethanti and follows the west bank of Modi Khola (khola = river) to reach Syauli Bazaar. You then start the climb to Ghandruk. This is a Gurung village from where you see good views of Machhapuchhre (6993m), Annapurna South (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and of the upper Modi Valley (1951m). Ghandruk is a friendly village, with most of the inhabitants Gurungs, famous for their bravery as Gurkha soldiers in the British and Indian army.

Overnight in Ghandruk, breakfast included.

Starting by a descent to the Modi Khola River, walking directly from Ghandruk to Landruk would take just a couple of hours. However going to Jhinu and detour allows you the chance to take a dip in the natural hot spring there. Please make sure you have your swimsuit and towel packed in your daypack. On reaching Jhinu, you can order your lunch and you walk another 20 – 25 minutes to the hot spring. Here you can relax. After lunch, you continue another 2-3 hours trekking to Landruk where you spend the night.

Overnight in Langdruk.

The trail follows a ridge to Deurali, passing through forest and scattered villages. Along the way you are accompanied by spectacular views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. The village of Dhampus is a culturally rich village of Gurung people where you have a good opportunity for a closer look at the daily lives of the villagers.

Overnight in Dhampus.

We will make final trek for 2 hours and end our trek at Phedi. We bid farewell to our supporting porter and thank them for their support during our wonderful trekking at Annapurna Foothills. Drive from Phedi to Pokhara is approximately around an hour.

Overnight in Pokhara.

There are lots of things to see and do in Pokhara. There are a few museums, the most notable being the International Mountain Museum (IMM). In addition there is an ethnographical museum, Pokhara Regional Museum and Annapurna Natural History Museum with collections of flora and fauna, and butterflies. There is also the Gurkha Museum featuring the history of the Gurkha soldiers. Gurkha soldiers are still recruited here in Pokhara. You might like to go boating or take the opportunity to try out paragliding. For the fearless, you might want to have a go at Nepal’s second bungee jumping site: Water Touch Bunjee Jumping. Or if you are interested in Tibetan culture, you can take a tour of the Tibetan settlements with a Tibetan guide.

Overnigth in Pokhara, breakfast included.

It is about a five hour driving to Barauli in Chitwan, very close to Chitwan National Park which is home to hundreds of species of birds and many endangered animals. The Barauli Community Homestay was created to help the local Tharu people to preserve their rich culture and as a way for them to interact with the rest of the world and benefit more directly in tourism. Villagers take care of you in their Community Homestays where you stay in relative comfort. Each of the twelve cottages, made by the locals, is named after the housewife who owns it. All huts contain clean, ensuite bathrooms and a hot shower. On arrival, you are welcomed with a traditional Barauli program that includes song and dance by women dressed in their traditional Tharu gowns. During your stay, you can sample the local food and experiencing the local lifestyle.

Overnight in Chitwan, breakfast and dinner included.

Starting the day with jungle activities like jeep drive, it can make you feel that you are close to nature. Village walk tour and cultural dance program provide great opportunity to know the culture and tradition of the Tharu peoples. Accommodation in Barauli Community Homestay.

Overnight in Chitwan, full board included.

Departing Chitwan you will leave the lowlands, climbing into the Central Hills to join the main highway at Mugling. It is then a slow journey east along Nepal’s busiest highway, to Kathmandu. It is, however, a scenic route with steep rice terraces making a dramatic backdrop to the river, funeral pyres, suspension bridges and villages.

Overnight in Kathmandu, breakfast included.

You have the day free. You can visit Swayambunath Temple, otherwise nicknamed the ‘Money Temple’. On a hill overlooking the city, it is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the country. Not for the faint-hearted, there are 350 steps to the top, though you can cheat and take the back route, though less steep it doesn’t offer such good views. Lose yourself in Asan, the area between Thamel and Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, which is a warren of narrow streets where Nepalis come to shop for everything from the kitchen sink to saris and vegetables. Why not visit the elusive Kumari in Durbar Square, or go shopping in Thamel where you can find all sorts of souvenir shops selling handicrafts, local organic tea and coffee and other mementoes.

Overnight in Kathmandu, breakfast included.

You transfer to Tribhuvan Airport to connect with your onward flight. Please note that you should check in three hours prior to your flight time.